Mowing-machine.



Nb. 856,269. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907. J. W. LATIMER. MOWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAE.22, 1907.

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PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

J; W. 'LATIMER. MOWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22. 1907.

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PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. LATIMER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

IVIOWING-NIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

A li ti fil d March 22,1907. Serial No- 363,8l8|

To all whom, it 777/601] concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. LATIMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mowing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mowing machines, and particularly to that type commonly called vertical lift mowers, in which mechanism is employed to simultaneously raise the cutting apparatus to a vertical position and disengage the clutch mechanism when the cutting apparatus has reached a predetermined limit of elevation, in order that the motion of the knife may cease before danger of breakage of the motion transmitting means occurs by reason of the changed relation of the associated parts; the object of the invention being to provide means whereby the lifting lever connected with the cutting apparatus may be allowed a limited initial movement in a direction to elevate the cutting apparatus and be prevented from further movement by means of an interposed movable stop member adapted to engage with the lever, the stop member being connected with the clutch operating mechanism in a manner to compel the Operator to disengage the clutch mechanism before further movement of the lifting lever may operate to elevate the cutting apparatus, and to also provide improved means for connecting the lifting lever with the cutting apparatus. These objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side view of a mower partly in section and embodying my invention in its construction. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing more in detail the associated parts. Fig. 3 is an end view of a mower illustrating in part the application of my invention. Fig. 4 is a detached detail representing a part of the clutch operating mechanism. Fig. 5 represents a sectionon line A-B of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a side view of a mower, partly in sectiOn designed to illustrate the operation of the adjusting mechanism in its relation to the cutting apparatus. Fig. 7 is a detached detail showing the manner of mounting the lifting lever. Fig. 8 is a detail showing the manner in which the lifting lever is connected with the cutting apparatus. Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8 and represents the cutting apparatus in its initial movement toward a vertical position. Fig. 10 is a like view, and represents the cutting apparatus as elevated to a substantially vertical position. Fig. 11 is a detail of part of the flexible connection between the lifting lever and the cutting apparatus; and Fig. 12 is a side view of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, 1 represents a part of the main frame, in which is journaled a main shaft 2, upon which is mounted the carrying wheels 3.

4 is the usual cross shaft mounted in bearings 5, integral with the main frame, and deriving motion from the main shaft by means of gear members 6 and 7 secured to the main shaft and cross shaft, respectively. A bevel gear 8 is loosely mounted upon the cross shaft and is provided with an angular hub portion 9, upon which is slidably mounted a clutch member 10. A clutch member 11 is secured to the shaft, and the two members have the usual toothed surfaces adapted to engage one with the other in a manner to operatively connect the motion transmitting members. The clutch member 10 is provided with fixed collars 12, between which is mounted a fork 13 that operates to shift the member longitudinally alongthe angular hub in a manner to disengage the clutch members; the fork being connected by means of an arm 14 to a longitudinally movable rod 15 mounted in bearings 16 integral with the main frame, and having a coiled spring 17 surrounding the rod at its inner end and operative between one of the bearings 16 and a collar 18 secured to the rod in a manner to move the rod in a direction to cause the clutch members to engage.

The cutting apparatus comprises an inner shoe 19, hinged to a hanger 20 by means of hinge pins 21 in a common manner, and 22 represents the cutter bar secured to the shoe. 23 is a vertically arranged arm secured to the shoe and having its upper end connected with one arm of a lifting lever 24, mounted upon the main frame of the machine; the connection comprising a three armed swinging fulcrum, having one arm 25 pivotally connected with the hanger links 26 and 27 having their inner ends preferably coaXially pivotally connected with the fulcrum intermediate the other arms in a manner to contact therewith and limit a relative movement of the links and fulcrum, and the opposite ends of the links being connected with the lifting lever and vertical arm 23, respectively,'by means of link 28 and universal coupling 29 and link 30.

In operating machines of this class it is desirable to have the cutting apparatus, when being raised, to move bodily upward in its initial movement with the cutter bar approximately parallel with the ground, and when the inner shoe has reached its limit of elevation through contact of an associated part with a fixed resistant, as 31, or otherwise, a further movement of the lifting lever will operate in a more direct manner to elevate the cutter bar to a substantially vertical position.

' This result is attained by the combination of the swinging fulcrum and connecting links, as described, which operates to produce a differential leverage of the links as the fulcrum swings about its pivot. After the inner shoe has reached its limit of elevation, and it is desired to raise the cutter bar to a vertical position, it is necessary, in order to prevent breakage of the operative parts, to discone nect the power transmitting means from the cutting apparatus by disengaging the clutch mechanism, either automatically or manually, and providing other means that will prevent the operator from raising the bar to a vertical position unless the clutch mechanism be first disengaged. The means provided comprise a foot lever 32, pivotally mounted upon the main frame within convenient reach of the operator and having a cam 33, provided with a slotted portion 34, concentric with the pivotal axis of the lever and embracing the end of rod 15, one side of the cam contacting with the collar 18 and the opposite side with a fixed resistant 35 in a manner to move the rod longitudinally in a direction to disengage the clutch members when the cam is moved in one direction, the spring 17 operating to move the rod inthe opposite direction when released from control by the cam.

Pivotally mounted upon a fixed art of the frame, in rear of the axis of the li ting lever, is a swinging stop member 36, having one end adapted to contact with the lifting lever when moved in one direction in a manner to limit the movement of said lever in a direction to elevate the cutting apparatus, and its opposite end connected with the foot lever 32 by means of a link 37, whereby the movement of the sto member is controlled by that of the foot ever; that is, when the foot lever is moved in a direction to cause the clutch members to be disengaged, the sto member is moved out of the ath of the lifting lever and the latter may t en be manipulated to raise the bar to a vertical position; the parts being so proportioned and their movements controlled that the mechanism prevents the o eratorfrom raising the cutting apparatus eyond a predetermined limit lower end a slotted portion 40 adapted to receive one end of an adjustable link 41, having its opposite end connected with the foot lever 32 in a manner to cause said lever to rock about its axis as the lifting lever is manipulated, the slotted portion of the supplemental lever allowing a limited movement of the lifting lever before effecting a movement of the foot lever.

The operator may at will disengage the supplemental lever from the lifting lever by manipulating the spring pressed bolt, and then the clutch shipping mechanism is controlled wholly by the foot lever.

What I claim as my invention, and. desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, motion transmitting means adapted to com municate motion to said cutting ap aratus, a clutch mechanism forming part 0 said motion transmitting means, means for operat ing said clutch mechanism, a lifting lever mounted upon the main frame and flexibly connected with the cutting apparatus and operative in a manner to elevate it to a substantially vertical position, a movable stopmember arranged in the path of movement of said lifting lever and adapted to engage with said lever in a manner to limit its move ment in a direction to elevate said cutting apparatus, said stop-member being connecte with said clutch operating mechanism in a manner to be disengaged from said lifting lever when said clutch operating mechanism is moved in one direction.

2. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, motion transmitting means adapted to communicate motion to said cutting ap aratus, a clutch mechanism forming part 0 said motion transmitting means, means for operating said clutch mechanism, a lifting lever mounted upon the main frame and flexibly connected with said cutting apparatus and operative in ,a manner to elevate it to a substantially vertical position, a swinging stopmember mounted upon a fixed dpart of said frame, having one end adapte to engage with said liftinglever in a manner to limit its movement in a'direction to elevate said cutting apparatus, and its opposite end connected with said clutch operating mechanism in a manner to swing said stopmember out of the path of said lifting lever when said clutch operating mechanism is moved in one direction.

3. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a mam frame, a cutting apparatu's,

motion transmitting means adapted to communicate motion to said cutting apparatus, a clutch mechanism forming part of said motion transmitting means, means for operating said clutch mechanism comprising a bell crank lever pivotally mounted upon the main frame, a lifting lever mounted upon the main frame and having flexible connection with said cutting apparatus and operative to elevate it to substantially a vertical position, a swinging stop-member mounted upon a fixed part of said frame, having one end adapted to engage with said lifting lever in a manner to limit its movement in a direction to elevate said cutting apparatus, and its opposite end connected with one arm of said bell crank lever.

4. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, motion transmitting means adapted to communicate motion to said cutting apparatus, a clutch mechanism forming part of said motion transmitting means, means for operating said clutch mechanism comprising a longitudinally movable rod mounted on the main frame and having one end connected with said clutch mechanism, a foot lever pi votally mounted on said frame and having a slotted cam engaging with said rod in a manner to move it longitudinally to disengage said clutch mechanism when said foot lever is moved in one direction, a lifting lever mounted on the main frame and having flexible connection with said cutting apparatus and operative to elevate it to a substantially vertical position, a swinging stop-member mounted upon a fixed part of said frame, having one end adapted to engage with said lifting lever in a manner to limit its movement in a direction to elevate said cutting apparatus, and its opposite end connected with said foot lever.

5. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, motion transmitting means adapted to communicate motion to said cutting apparatus, a clutch mechanism forming part of said motion transmitting means, means for operating said clutch mechanism, said means comprising a longitudinally movable rod mounted on the main frame and having one end connected with said clutch mechanism, a foot lever pivotally mounted on said frame and having a slotted cam engaging with said rod in a manner to move it longitudinally to disengage said clutch mechanism when said lever is moved in one direction, a lifting lever mounted on the main frame and having flexible connection with said cutting apparatus, a supplemental lever pivoted .coaXi ally with said lifting lever and releasably connected therewith, and an adjustable link connection between said foot lever and said supplemental lever.

6. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, motion transmitting means adapted to communicate motion to said cutting apparatus, a clutch mechanism forming part of said motion transmitting means, means for operating said clutch mechanism, a lifting lever mounted on the main frame, an operative connection between said lifting lever and said clutch operating mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch mechanism when said lever has reached a predetermined limit, a flexible connection between said lifting lever and said cutting mechanism, said connection comprising a three armed swinging fulcrum pivotally mounted intermediate said lever and the cutting apparatus by means of one of its arms, oppositely disposed links having their inner ends pivotally connected with said fulcrum intermediate its other arms and adapted to engage with said arms in a manner to limit a relative movement of the links and fulcrum, and having their outer ends connected respectively with said lifting lever and said cutting apparatus.

7. A mowing machine comprising, incombination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, motion transmitting means adapted to communicate motion to said cutting apparatus, a clutch mechanismforming part of said moti on transmitting means, means for operating said clutch mechanism, a lifting lever mounted on the main frame, an operative connection between said lifting lever and said clutch operating mechanism adapted to disengage said clutch mechanism when said lever has reached a predetermined limit, a flexible connection between said lifting lever and said cutting mechanism, said connection comprising a three armed swinging fulcrum pivotally mounted intermediate said lever and the cutting apparatus by means of one of its arms, oppositely disposed links having their inner ends coaxially pivoted on said fulcrum intermediate its other arms and adapted to engage with said arms in a manner to limit a relative movement of the links and fulcrum, and having their outer ends connected respectively with said lifting lever and said cutting apparatus.

8. A mowing machine comprising, in combination, a main frame, a cutting apparatus, a lifting lever mounted on the main frame, a flexible connection between said lifting lever and said cutting apparatus, said connection comprising a three armed swinging fulcrum pivotally mounted intermediate said lever and said cutting apparatus by means of one connected respectively With said lifting lever of its arms, oppositely disposed links having and said cutting apparatus. 7 7

their inner ends pivotally connected with said fulcrum intermediate its other arms and JOHN LATIMER', adapted to engage with said arms in a man- Witnesses:

ner to limit a relative movement of the links 0. F. CRUMB,

and fulcrum, and having their outer ends CHAS. BARRY. 

